Casino opponents say officials misread public

INDIANOLA (AP) — Leaders of the effort to oppose a $145 million casino and events center in Norwalk say the overwhelming defeat of the proposal shows some officials misread public sentiment.

Casino opponent Tom Greteman told The Des Moines Register the 60 percent vote against the proposed Warren County casino Tuesday “shows how out of touch some of our city leaders are with what the people really want in Norwalk.”

The Warren County Economic Development Corp. had supported the project in northwest Norwalk, near Iowa Highways 5 and 28.

The development group’s executive director, Jason White, says he hopes to engage the public in determining what kind of projects the organization should pursue.

With Tuesday’s vote, state law now prohibits Warren County voters from considering another gambling bill before 2021.